"You—!"
Hearing Lucia's barb, Godrick's face flushed a violent crimson. A powerful aura—the unique, crushing weight of a Demigod's soul—erupted from him, surging across the table like a physical wave.
Lucia's eyes turned cold. In an instant, an equally formidable pressure surged forth to et it. The two clashed invisibly in mid-air, the atmosphere in the hall growing heavy enough to make the candles flicker.
Unlike Godrick's aura, which felt like a broad, majestic weight, Lucia's was violent and predatory. It carried the cold, overbearing breath of the primal era, a ti before civilization when every creature prostrated before the sky. In the old world, they had a na for this terrifying presence: Dragon Communion.
After a brief, silent struggle, Godrick let out a muffled groan. Astonishnt flickered in his eyes. Facing this "neonatal" dragon, he hadn't gained an inch of ground.
In the Lands Between, the aura of the strong was no taphysical concept—it was the physical manifestation of ntal strength. For Demigods born of divine blood, this was their birthright. It was what allowed them to eventually claim the Great Runes of the Elden Ring. Yet here, Lucia was matching him blow for blow.
Infuriated by his failure, Godrick began to rise, his hand twitching toward his side. But before he could lash out, two gazes like cold lightning struck him. In an instant, it felt as if he had been dropped into an ice cellar. He couldn't move an inch.
Directly across from him, Lansseax's eyes narrowed. A faint, ethereal pressure emanated from her. It lacked the visual flare of the boys' clash, but its effect was absolute. It didn't just push—it threatened to freeze his soul.
Godrick groaned inwardly. Lansseax had clearly restrained herself out of respect for the King and Queen; otherwise, he doubted he could even remain standing. Within the capital, there were few people he truly feared, but the Priests of the Ancient Dragon Temple were at the top of that list.
He realized now he had made a grave mistake. He had believed the rumors that the Priestess and the newly born Prince would be at odds over the succession of the Dragon Lord. He had thought her seating—half a step behind Lucia—was a political show.
Who would believe they were actually this close? Godrick thought bitterly. Lord and subject, brother and sister... his miscalculation was total.
Faced with Lansseax's unyielding gaze and the Queen's clear dissatisfaction, Godrick took a jagged breath. He looked at Lucia and forced the words out: "My apologies. That was... rely a joke. Welco to the capital. If you need anything, I will do my best to assist."
Lucia shrugged noncommittally. He didn't take back the "Uncle" comnt.
Godrick wisely dropped the issue of seniority. His father, Godwyn, was decades older than these Demigods, technically making Godrick a generation lower than Miquella and Malenia. Stubbornness would only make him look more foolish.
"Enough. The banquet has already been delayed twenty minutes by this nonsense," Marika said, her tone low and dangerous.
"Yes, Mother," Godrick whispered, lowering his head.
"I apologize for that display, Lucia," the Queen said, her voice softening as she turned to him. "Godrick's father is often away suppressing rebellions; even now, he is in the Weeping Peninsula. We have been... occupied with governance and perhaps neglected his discipline. This is a family banquet, and the boy simply got carried away."
"Your Majesty is too kind," Lucia replied, dismissing the topic while ignoring Godrick's resentful glare. "It's good for the young to have such... vitality."
Lucia understood Godrick's motives well enough. As the "legitimate" heir of the Golden Lineage, he likely hated the dragons for existing outside the Erdtree's system. He was a bully who couldn't stand being upstaged. Even in his past life, the Godrick of Stormveil had been a pathetic creature; it seed the seeds were already sown.
"Since everyone is here, let us begin," Radagon chid in, his voice steady. "Knight Mugram sent word that they encountered delays. When those three children arrive, we shall have a proper reunion."
Mugram.
The na gave Lucia pause. The Carian delegation is being led by him?
He pictured the Carian Knight who, even after the world shattered, would still stand guard before the Grand Library, protecting the Full Moon Queen with his life. Lucia cast a subtle, wary glance at Radagon—the man who had abandoned Rennala and her children.
Mugram and Radagon in the sa city? Lucia felt a distinct, ominous prickle at the back of his neck. This "reunion" was going to be a bloodbath.
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